E-HOBBY: Difference between revisions

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Since then, the range of exclusive product got bigger. Reissues of the original [[Generation 1]] [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] toys that were part of Takara's store/convention exclusive "Collector's Edition" series came in 2001, followed by more same-character redecoes in new colors. With the launch of Takara's "[[Transformers Collection]]" line of "bookbox" reissues, e-Hobby would start to regularly offer an exclusive redeco of almost every toy released as part of the line. Many of those redecos were based on old ''[[Diaclone]]'' or ''[[Microchange]]'' variants of the toys in question, but were given new names and identities, with extensive bio profiles for the characters written by [[Hirofumi Ichikawa]].  In cases where no ''Diaclone'' or ''Microchange'' variant of the toy existed, e-Hobby would take obscure "extra" characters or weird errors from the cartoon series as inspirations for a redeco, or even come up with an entirely new deco.
Since then, the range of exclusive product got bigger. Reissues of the original [[Generation 1]] [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] toys that were part of Takara's store/convention exclusive "Collector's Edition" series came in 2001, followed by more same-character redecoes in new colors. With the launch of Takara's "[[Transformers Collection]]" line of "bookbox" reissues, e-Hobby would start to regularly offer an exclusive redeco of almost every toy released as part of the line. Many of those redecos were based on old ''[[Diaclone]]'' or ''[[Microchange]]'' variants of the toys in question, but were given new names and identities, with extensive bio profiles for the characters written by [[Hirofumi Ichikawa]].  In cases where no ''Diaclone'' or ''Microchange'' variant of the toy existed, e-Hobby would take obscure "extra" characters or weird errors from the cartoon series as inspirations for a redeco, or even come up with an entirely new deco.


In addition, e-Hobby would also continue to release exclusive redecos of non-TFC reissues and even of toys that were not reissues at all, including porduct from ''[[Robot Masters]]'', the "[[Hybrid Style]]" line, ''[[Kiss Players]]'' and ''Binaltech''.
In addition, e-Hobby would also continue to release exclusive redecos of non-TFC reissues and even of toys that were not reissues at all, including product from ''[[Robot Masters]]'', the "[[Hybrid Style]]" line, ''[[Kiss Players]]'' and ''Binaltech''.


Furthermore, e-Hobby also offered exclusive "[[USA Edition]]" versions of toys that were originally released by [[Hasbro]], complete with the Hasbro packaging. In all these instances, the only difference to the Hasbro versions of those toys was an additional e-Hobby sticker on the packaging. Toys from ''[[Universe (toyline)|Universe]]'', ''[[Star Wars]] Transformers'' and ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' toys not part of the ''Galaxy Force'' series were all made available this way.
Furthermore, e-Hobby also offered exclusive "[[USA Edition]]" versions of toys that were originally released by [[Hasbro]], complete with the Hasbro packaging. In all these instances, the only difference to the Hasbro versions of those toys was an additional e-Hobby sticker on the packaging. Toys from ''[[Universe (toyline)|Universe]]'', ''[[Star Wars]] Transformers'' and ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' toys not part of the ''Galaxy Force'' series were all made available this way.

Revision as of 18:02, 13 September 2007

Let's see what you can see...

This article is in need of images.

Specifics: Screen-cap of main page, a few pics of relevant toys for History section

Template:Wrongname

e-Hobby is a Takara-affiliated online store owned by Part One, Ltd. Even though the e-Hobby Shop sells all sorts of toys manufactured by Takara, it's best known for offering exclusive redecos of Transformers toys.


History

Part One, Ltd. was founded over 25 years ago and has provided various kinds of services to Takara ever since the days of the Diaclone line, among them products planning, packaging design, character design and promotional planning. Among other things, Part One is responsible for designing the packaging for the Binaltech toyline.

The e-Hobby Shop was launched in early 2001. Even though the address e-Hobby.co.jp was used from the get-go, the site was temporarily also available under the (now defunct) URL http://e-hobby.sputniknext.com/, but eventually permanently moved to its current location in May 2003.

In March 2001, Takara would release the first exclusive toy through the e-Hobby Shop, a black redeco of the original Megatron toy that was reissued by Takara at the same time. "Black" Megatron had previously been available for pre-order at BotCon Japan 2000, since the e-Hobby Shop hadn't been established yet by that time.

Since then, the range of exclusive product got bigger. Reissues of the original Generation 1 Ironhide and Ratchet toys that were part of Takara's store/convention exclusive "Collector's Edition" series came in 2001, followed by more same-character redecoes in new colors. With the launch of Takara's "Transformers Collection" line of "bookbox" reissues, e-Hobby would start to regularly offer an exclusive redeco of almost every toy released as part of the line. Many of those redecos were based on old Diaclone or Microchange variants of the toys in question, but were given new names and identities, with extensive bio profiles for the characters written by Hirofumi Ichikawa. In cases where no Diaclone or Microchange variant of the toy existed, e-Hobby would take obscure "extra" characters or weird errors from the cartoon series as inspirations for a redeco, or even come up with an entirely new deco.

In addition, e-Hobby would also continue to release exclusive redecos of non-TFC reissues and even of toys that were not reissues at all, including product from Robot Masters, the "Hybrid Style" line, Kiss Players and Binaltech.

Furthermore, e-Hobby also offered exclusive "USA Edition" versions of toys that were originally released by Hasbro, complete with the Hasbro packaging. In all these instances, the only difference to the Hasbro versions of those toys was an additional e-Hobby sticker on the packaging. Toys from Universe, Star Wars Transformers and Cybertron toys not part of the Galaxy Force series were all made available this way.

In 2007, e-Hobby offered toys that had been previously exclusively available at Japanese conventions, starting with the Wonder Festival 2007 Winter exclusive exclusive Binaltech Black Convoy. Later that year, Takara also offered the "Fusion Cluster Edition" redecos of the live action Transformers Movie Protoform Optimus Prime and Protoform Starscream toys, which had previously been available at the C3xHobby Convention. In both instances (Black Convoy and the two Protoforms), only Japanese residents were allowed to purchase the toys, unlike the other exclusives which can usually be ordered by foreigners as well.


e-Hobby exclusive toys

Reissues

Exclusive companions (redecos) for reissues

Other exclusive redecos

Convention exclusives later available at e-Hobby

"USA Editions"


Trivia

  • Because e-Hobby is mostly known for exclusive toys and many Western fans aren't aware that e-Hobby also offers regular mass retail toys like most online stores, pre-orders for new mass retail toys listed at the e-Hobby website are occasionally mistaken as a confirmation that a toy is either exclusive to e-Hobby, or that an e-Hobby exclusive redeco is planned.
  • Another common misconception among fans is that e-Hobby "makes" the exclusive toys. While e-Hobby is presumably responsible for creating the color scheme and decos, the toys are still produced by Takara. After all, Toys "R" Us doesn't manufacture its own exclusive Transformers toys either.


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